Closer Feliz feels good after throwing session

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- All-Star Rangers closer Neftali Feliz, who is on the disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder, threw for the first time on Wednesday since being sidelined. He threw 30 pitches from 90 feet while playing catch with pitching coach Mike Maddux.

"I feel better," Feliz said. "I feel strong. It doesn't bother me. I think I'm going to be ready to come back when I'm supposed to come off the disabled list."

Feliz was placed on the disabled list retroactive to April 21 and is eligible to come off on May 6. That will be the first game of the next homestand against the Yankees.

"I think five to six days off would have been OK," Feliz said. "But they decided to place me on the 15-day disabled list. It's a little extreme, but I understand."

Darren Oliver is serving as the Rangers' primary closer during Feliz's absence.

General manager Jon Daniels is still predicting a short stay on the DL for Feliz.

"If he's not activated on the 16th day, it will be shortly after," Daniels said. "If anything, he is doing better than expected. He's got his range of motion back."

Washington firm on leaving Ogando in rotation

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers may have bullpen issues, but manager Ron Washington does not see Alexi Ogando as the answer. He made that abundantly clear before Wednesday's game with the Blue Jays.

"I'm not taking him out of the rotation," Washington said.

Washington said that multiple times in the course of the discussion, especially when Tommy Hunter, Brandon Webb and Scott Feldman were brought up. All three are successful Major League pitchers who are on the disabled list but could be back by June 1 or earlier. They are working out in Arizona, and Washington isn't speculating on what will happen when they return.

"I can't answer that question because they are on rehab and Ogando is pitching great," Washington said. "When they're ready, we'll make a decision, but I'm not taking [Ogando] out of the rotation. ... I'm not taking him out of the rotation if he continues to pitch like this.

"I'm not going to rob Peter to pay Paul. Paul has to earn his pay. Ogando is Peter and those guys are Paul."

Ogando was one of the Rangers' top relievers last season before joining the rotation this year. He is 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA after four starts and will be on the mound on Thursday against the Blue Jays.

"I'm not sure what will happen, but we have to quit talking about Ogando," Washington said.

Rangers decide to keep Lowe at Triple-A

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers needed a reliever from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday but decided veteran right-hander Mark Lowe was not the one. Lowe was sent to Triple-A nine days ago, and the Rangers want him to remain there.

"We haven't forgotten about Mark Lowe," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "But he's doing what we need him to do, get regular work. The way we're falling, he'll get his chance. But we haven't forgotten about him. We check on him every time he touches the ball."

Lowe had a 13.50 ERA in four appearances with the Rangers before being sent down. He is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in three appearances with Round Rock. In five innings he has allowed six hits and four walks and has struck out seven.

Rangers Double-A prospect Beltre suspended

ARLINGTON -- Double-A Frisco outfielder Engel Beltre has been suspended indefinitely by the Texas League for his role in an altercation with fans after Tuesday's game in San Antonio.

The suspension will likely be for 10 days. Beltre will be assigned to extended spring training in Arizona until the suspension is over.

The altercation occurred moments after the Roughriders' 7-6 loss that saw manager Steve Buechele and pitching coach Jeff Andrews ejected from the game in the top of the ninth inning.

San Antonio led, 7-5, with two outs in the ninth when a possible three-run home run by Roughriders designated hitter Mike Bianucci was overturned and changed to a ground-rule double. Instead of an 8-7 lead, the Roughriders ended up getting just one run and the next batter popped out to end the game.

That's when the altercation broke out between Roughriders players and a group of unruly fans. Beltre allegedly threw a plastic trash can into the stands. Two fans were arrested and Beltre has been suspended. He is the only Roughriders player expected to be suspended, but the Rangers are still looking into the matter.

"We are going to continue to look at it as far as the involvement of other people," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "It's not something we're going to condone. It's something we take seriously. It was a black eye for all involved. We do not know everything that happened, but we're looking into it."

Briefly

 Manager Ron Washington said that Mike Napoli will be behind the plate on Thursday with Alexi Ogando on the mound for the Rangers.

 Brett Tomko threw five scoreless innings in relief for the Rangers on Tuesday. It's the longest outing by a Rangers reliever since Kameron Loe pitched five innings on Aug. 17, 2008, against Tampa Bay.